Handcuffed while black while waiting…
As such, #BoycottStarbucks
Tag Archives: Black
The Black Death Saga Continues …
Sadly, the life expectancy of the black man
In America…
May be a few seconds to a few minutes
After he encounters the unbridled callousness of some police officers
Who somehow believe that the execution, in their uniform, of the black man
Without affording that life, the benefit of the right to a fair trail or
To be adjudged guilty, let alone the right to live,
Before the immediate imposition of a death sentence,
Is theirs in wanton disregard to deliver, rather than to protect,
Like the white life afforded all benefits in similar or worse circumstances.
Question me not … black man, do not ask me why I want to arrest you
How dare you speak to me, who do you think you are, do not breathe,
Do not talk, you better not look me in the eyes
Be careful, your life is my hands and I will snuff it out
And will probably get away with killing you …
Alas in a few fleeting moments…
The tragic truth is that the black life ends…
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under General, Uncategorized
BenJoy’s Opinion – Biased Coverage of Gun Violence by NBC
Calling a spade a spade…
NBC did not respond to my e-mail and thus I share my opinion with you…
Dear NBC,
It was disheartening this morning while watching Meet the Press to see the distasteful and stereotypical approach regarding the portrayal of violence and use of firearms. NBC elected to broadcast the clip whether it was made on a staff person’s private time or not. Additionally, it was disturbing to watch the host try to explain without success, why the coverage about gun violence, his show aired, was totally biased. What does it have to do with whether he has never being pulled over in his car by the police.
Unfortunately, yet again, the coverage cast in a most prejudiced manner, showed only black men incarcerated speaking about their regrets concerning the use of guns during the commission of crimes. The most ironical aspect of the clip, is that it was aired in the wake of a white man killing nine black people.
Although at a societal level, it is laudable to cover the conversion of criminals, but the question that NBC must answer and communicate to its viewing public is whether that coverage was balanced or another occassion perpetuating the skewed societal view that only black men are violent, are in jail and use guns when that is an absolute departure from the truth. Are their other races other than blacks in jail, do other races use guns and do other races commit crimes. NBC, the incontrovertible answer is yes.
Why would NBC show that clip without making sure that it was balanced. NBC should evaluate the essence of its role in covering and broadcasting topical and all issues. What does the freedom of press allow the press on this specific and other matters, NBC. Is it the right to distort the news or to communicate the facts as they exist.
Furthermore, how does this type of disdainful coverage further the memory of Tim Russet. Would the unbalanced nature of the clip have evaded his scrutiny and when Eugene Robinson immediately brought it to his attention, would he in a nonchalant manner have dismissed the obvious without an unequivocal apology. The attempts of the current host afterwards during the show to handle the error were patronizing and failed abysmally.
An immediate apology from NBC is required, not in a week when the next episode of Meet The Press is broadcast. Also, NBC should evaluate its editorial processes.
June 21, 2015
MLK Day – Beyond A Holiday
Martin Luther King Day…
Causes the world to pause, albeit it
For a moment, to recall the sordid horror of
The atrocities that were unconscionably and
Violently perpetuated against a segment
Of humanity, just because they were endowed
With a darker hue by the Creator of the entire universe.
Further, the observance of the day, yet brings to mind
Those other fallen heroes, along the arduous cause towards
Justice and dignity for all, and their individual and
Collective sacrifice on the blood-stained altar for equality.
Alas, the unvarnished realization is that the quest, still incomplete,
Must again, be fiercely populated with sustained courage
To confront the disdainful scourge of discrimination
Wherever it seeks refuge or finds habitation, to expose it
For unequivocal condemnation and ultimate eradication.
Therefore, arise citizens of the world and in diligent measure
Commit to and embrace the legacy and essence of the holiday.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life
JFT
Justice For Trayvon
Should not have been as elusive as it has become
How can lady justice rest easy in the realization
That a young boy with the apparent promise
To live too, and likewise stand his ground to
Defend his precious life and the right to walk
Boldly to his father’s abode in the land of the free,
Such freedom, previously denied by shackles and ships,
Was gunned down before the prime of his short life…
With no remedy forthcoming for his cold body.
Yet, his choice of garment becomes a negative focal point,
And though racial connotations seem tragically minimized
They loom large in the quest for justice for more than the dead
For alas, justice for Trayvon is indeed justice for all.
Lest we all someday are subject to dreadfully wrong assumptions
Causing the fabric of society to disintegrate to the detriment of all.
Shoot us not merely because of the skin …
Filed under Life
